Highback mounted storage pouch

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure describes a pouch configured for mounting on a snowboard binding highback. Such a pouch may comprise a body, a flap, a first plate, and a strap. The body is coupled to the flap and may comprise a first connector. The first plate is coupled to the flap. The flap and the plate are coupled to a first side of the snowboard binding highback, while the body is coupled to a second side of the snowboard binding highback. The strap is coupled to the flap and comprises a second connector. The second connector is configured to be coupled to the first connector by wrapping the strap around a heelcup of the snowboard binding.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) ofU.S. Patent Application No. 62/124,624, entitled “Storage Pouch forAttachment to Snowboard Binding Heel Plate,” filed Dec. 28, 2014, whichis hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

Aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to a storage pouch,and more particularly to a pouch mounted on a snowboard bindinghighback.

BACKGROUND

Reference may be made herein to other United States Patents, foreignpatents, and/or other technical references. Any reference made herein toother documents is an express incorporation by reference of the documentso named in its entirety.

Traversing snow using skis or other devices coupled to a user's foothave been used for many years. Cross-country (Nordic) skiing has been anOlympic sport since the first Winter Olympics in 1924, and Alpine (ordownhill) skiing has been an Olympic sport since 1936. Other types ofskis, such as the monoski, where both feet are attached in-line with thedirection of travel to a single device (also referred to as a “board” or“ski), have had various degrees of popularity for the past severaldecades.

In addition to snow skiing, snowboarding, where a user's feet areattached to a single board somewhat transversely to the direction oftravel, has become a common winter activity. Since the introduction of“the Bunker,” a toboggan-like device attached to shoes with leatherbands to navigate snowy terrain in 1939 (see U.S. Pat. No. 2,181,391),to the “Snuffer” (see U.S. Pat. No. 3,378,274), a combination snow-surfboard with a rope handle, to Jake Burton Carpenter's addition ofski-like bindings to the single board in the late 1970's and addition ofcompetitive snowboarding events to the Olympics in 1998, snowboardinghas become a multi-billion dollar industry.

As with snow skis, snowboards employ mechanical devices, known asbindings, to attach and/or couple application-specific footwear (alsoreferred to as “boots” or “snowboard boots” herein) to the snowboard.There have been various types of snowboard bindings employed for thepast thirty years, and one of the most common types is known as a“highback” binding. Unlike snow-skiing enthusiasts, however,snowboarders often disengage one boot from one of the bindings to allowfor controlled movement while embarking and disembarking from a ski lift(also referred to as a “chair lift” herein).

Because one of the bindings is often disengaged upon disembarking fromthe ski lift, the mechanical connection for a snowboarder (also referredto as a “rider” or “boarder” herein) between one foot and the snowboardis not precise or as easily controlled at those times. Thus,snowboarders may often be seen sitting down near the top of the chairlift to re-engage and/or adjust the bindings before taking asnowboarding run.

The practice of engaging/disengaging the binding of one boot from thesnowboard several times a day, and the inherent physics of snowboarding,also gives rise to another issue: many riders do not like to wear abackpack. Backpacks are uncomfortable for riders, as they are sittingdown on the snow several times a day and the backpack may catch snow andintroduce snow to the interior of the rider's clothing, and/or are notfashionable in the snowboarding community. Further, any falls on asnowboard result in the rider falling either on their chest or on theirback, in which case the backpack either is caught between the rider andthe snow, or is forced against the rider's back when falling forward.Either scenario may possibly result in additional injuries to the rider,depending on the contents of the backpack, the direction of fall, andthe speed of the rider at the time of the fall. Without a pack or pouchto carry tools, food, or other items, the ability of a rider to be ableto eat, repair or adjust their bindings, or store other items like acellular phone or other emergency equipment, is very limited.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure describes a bag, pouch, and/or other containerwhich may be attached to the snowboard in such a way that the bag is notcumbersome or obtrusive to the rider. In an aspect of the presentdisclosure, the pouch may be removably and/or permanently attached tothe highback of a snowboard binding without modification to thesnowboard or snowboard binding.

An aspect of the present disclosure comprises a pouch configured formounting on a snowboard binding highback. In such an aspect, the pouchmay comprise a body, a flap, a first plate, and a strap. The body iscoupled to the flap and may comprise a first connector. The first plateis coupled to the flap. The flap and the plate are coupled to a firstside of the snowboard binding highback, while the body is coupled to asecond side of the snowboard binding highback. The strap is coupled tothe flap and comprises a second connector. The second connector isconfigured to be coupled to the first connector by wrapping the straparound a heelcup of the snowboard binding.

Such an aspect further optionally includes the strap being configured toreduce interference with a canting device on the second side of thesnowboard binding highback, the first plate being configured tosubstantially conform to a contour of the snowboard binding highback, asecond plate, coupled to the body, the second plate further comprising anotch, such that the notch is configured to reduce interference of thebody with a canting device on the second side of the snowboard bindinghighback, a pocket formed by selective coupling of the flap to the body.

Such an aspect further optionally includes the strap being adjustable inlength and/or adjustably coupled to the flap with and/or without anelastic coupling, at least one side strap and at least one ring, the atleast one side strap being configured to be coupled to the at least onering to, at least in part, secure the pouch to the snowboard bindinghighback, and the at least one side strap being coupled to the flap andthe at least one ring being coupled to the body.

Another aspect of the present disclosure comprises a pouch configuredfor mounting on a snowboard binding highback. Such a pouch comprises abody, a flap, coupled to the body, and a first plate, coupled to theflap. The flap and the plate are coupled to a first side of thesnowboard binding highback and the body is coupled to a second side ofthe snowboard binding highback. The first plate is configured to bemalleable to a contour of the first side of the snowboard bindinghighback.

Such a pouch further optionally comprises a strap, coupled to the flap,the strap configured to be coupled to the body around a portion of thesnowboard binding, and the strap couples to the body when wrapped arounda heelcup of the snowboard binding. The strap may be further configuredto reduce interference with a canting device on the second side of thesnowboard binding highback, be adjustable in length, and/or adjustablycoupled to the flap with or without an elastic coupling.

Such a pouch may further optionally comprise at least one side strap andat least one ring, in which the at least one side strap is configured tobe coupled to the at least one ring to, at least in part, secure thepouch to the snowboard binding highback, and the at least one side strapis coupled to the flap and the at least one ring is coupled to the body.

The above summary has outlined, rather broadly, some features andtechnical advantages of the present disclosure in order that thedetailed description that follows may be better understood. Additionalfeatures and advantages of the disclosure will be described below. Itshould be appreciated by those skilled in the art that this disclosuremay be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing otherstructures for carrying out the same or similar purposes of the presentdisclosure. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art thatsuch equivalent constructions do not depart from the teachings of thedisclosure as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features,which are believed to be characteristic of the disclosure, both as toits organization and method of operation, together with further featuresand advantages, will be better understood from the following descriptionwhen considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to beexpressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided forthe purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended asa definition of the limits of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure, referenceis now made to the following description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates a snowboard in accordance in accordance with anaspect of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a perspective view and a top view of asnowboard binding in accordance with an aspect of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of a snowboard binding with a cantingdevice in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates various attachment positions for bindings inaccordance with an aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates a device in accordance with an aspect of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of a pouch in accordance with an aspectof the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 illustrates a view of a v-shaped strap in accordance with anaspect of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description set forth below, in connection with theappended drawings, is intended as a description of variousconfigurations and is not intended to represent the only configurationsin which the concepts described herein may be practiced. The detaileddescription includes specific details for the purpose of providing athorough understanding of the various concepts. It will be apparent,however, to those skilled in the art that these concepts may bepracticed without these specific details. In some instances, well-knownstructures and components are shown in block diagram form in order toavoid obscuring such concepts. As described herein, the use of the term“and/or” is intended to represent an “inclusive OR”, and the use of theterm “or” is intended to represent an “exclusive OR”.

Overview

FIG. 1 illustrates a top view and a side view of a snowboard inaccordance in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure.

Snowboard 100 comprises an elongated, linearly extended oval shapeddevice. Snowboard 100 may be made of wood, wood in combination withfiberglass, carbon fiber, aluminum, or other materials, with an extrudedand/or sintered base (for contacting the snow and/or other surfaces) andmetal edges that allows snowboard 100 to traverse the snow and/or carveturns in snow similar to skis or skates.

The front 102 of snowboard 100 may be turned upward (towards the topview of FIG. 1) to aid snowboard 100 in navigating snow or snowyterrain. Similarly, the tail (rear) 104 of snowboard 100 may also beturned upward to allow for riding snowboard 100 in the opposite or“switch” direction, i.e., where tail 104 is downhill from front 102.Some snowboards 100 do not have an upturned tail 104, and are morelikely specialized snowboards 100 that are used for racing or othersituations where riding with the tail 104 forward of the rider is notdesirable and/or necessary.

Attachment points 106 are often threaded inserts that are molded orotherwise coupled to snowboard 100, such that screws may be threadedinto attachment points 106. Several attachment points 106 are oftenincluded in snowboard 100 to accommodate several different stancesand/or different distances between attachment points 106. The severalattachment points 106 allow for personal preferences for riders toattach bindings to snowboard 100.

Snowboard 100 may range in length from 35 inches (90 centimeters) to 85inches (215 cm), and are often in the 55-65 inch (140-165 cm) range.Depending on the type of riding and/or size of the rider's feet, thesidecut 108 distance may vary on different snowboard 100 models toaccommodate riding style and/or longer feet. Further, the camber 110distance, which allows snowboard 100 to contact the snow only at certainplaces, may be varied to suit individual types of riding. As shown inFIG. 1, the camber 110 is considered “positive” in that camber 110allows the middle of snowboard 100 to “float” in that the middle ofsnowboard 110 does not contact the snow. In other types of snowboards100, camber 110 may allow only the middle of snowboard 110 to contactthe snow (called a “rocker” or “reverse camber” snowboard 100) or haveessentially zero camber 110 (also referred to as a “flat” snowboard100). Hybrid cambers 110, e.g., a combination of positive and reversecambers are also possible.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a perspective view and a top view of asnowboard binding in accordance with an aspect of the presentdisclosure.

Binding 200 comprises a baseplate 202, a toe strap 204, a heel strap206, and a highback 208. Baseplate 202 provides a surface for asnowboard boot to rest, and also provides a mechanical connectionbetween binding 200 and snowboard 100. A plate, often part of and/orcoupled to baseplate 202, is attached to snowboard 100 at attachmentpoints 106.

Toe strap 204 provides a mechanical connection between the forefoot of asnowboard boot and binding 200, where a rider's forefoot (toe section)is adjustably coupled to the binding 200. By adjusting the toe strap204, movement of a rider's forefoot will be coupled to the snowboard100, allowing for fine adjustment of a turn or fine control of snowboard100.

Heel strap 206 provides a secure connection between the heel of thesnowboard boot and binding 200. Heel strap 206, in conjunction withhighback 208, provides a mechanical connection between the rider's heeland/or calf (and/or the heel and calf of the snowboard boot) tosnowboard 100, and is likely the main control surface for controllingthe direction of snowboard 100 travel. As a rider leans back againsthighback 208, the force is applied to one side and/or edge of snowboard100 to “roll” snowboard 100 onto that particular edge. As a rider leansforward, away from highback 208 and places pressure on the forefoot(either with or without the use of toe strap 204), snowboard 100 “rolls”onto the opposite edge turning in the other direction.

Another type of binding 200 is called a “step-in” binding, similar tobindings 200 used with skis. Although step-in bindings 200 may notinclude toe strap 204 and/or heel strap 206, step-in bindings 200 ofteninclude a highback 208 to allow for a larger control surface betweenrider and snowboard 200. In many bindings 200, including step-inbindings 200, highback 208 is contoured to conform to the roundedcontour of the heel of a snowboard boot.

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of a snowboard binding with a cantingdevice in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure.

On some bindings 200, highback 208 comprises a canting device 210.Canting device 210 adjusts the amount of forward lean of highback 208.In some bindings 200, as shown in FIG. 3, canting device 210 (alsoreferred to as a “camber” adjustment) acts as an adjustable spacerbetween highback 208 and heelcup 212. As canting device 210 is movedacross range 214, highback 208 moves in direction 216, which providesless forward lean (or “cant”) to highback 208, or highback 208 moves indirection 218, which provides more forward lean to highback 208. Byadjusting canting device 210, the rider adjusts the angle ofextension/flexion of the ankle joint that transfers pressure to thebinding 200, and thus to snowboard 100 for directional control ofsnowboard 100.

Although shown as adjusting the canting angle, canting device 210 may,additionally and/or alternatively, also adjust the vertical angle ofbinding 200, vis-a-vis adjusting the perpendicularity of highback 208with respect to the top surface of snowboard 100. Adjustments to cantingdevice 210 control the interface between rider and snowboard 100, andthus this interface can be personalized for each rider and for each typeof snowboard 100 riding conditions through adjustments to canting device210. As such, accessibility to canting device 210 is somewhat importantto riders, both for initial setting of the canting device 210 and foradjustment of canting device 210 based on snow conditions, riding style,and/or comfort.

FIG. 4 illustrates various attachment positions for bindings inaccordance with an aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates a freestyle binding position 400, an all mountainbinding position 402, and a freeride binding position 404. The positions400-404 are illustrated with respect to the snowboard centerline 406,and the primary direction of travel is shown as direction 408.

The freestyle binding position 400 is approximately symmetrical aboutboard center 406. Each binding 200 is attached to snowboard 100 atapproximately angle 410, which may be between 10 and 25 degreesdepending on a rider's preference. This approximate symmetry of thebinding 200 attachment allows riders to travel in direction 408, as wellas direction 412, so tricks, spins, flips, etc. can be performed fromeither direction 408 and/or 412 in a free-form or “freestyle” manner.

In all mountain binding position 402, the bindings are attached tosnowboard 100 in a substantially similar position as that in freestylebinding position 400. The snowboard 100 of all mountain binding positionis usually longer and wider than snowboard 100 used in freestyle bindingposition 400.

In freeride binding position 404, the binding 200 farther from theprimary direction of travel 408 (indicated in FIG. 4 as binding 414) isattached to snowboard 100 at an almost perpendicular angle to theprimary direction of travel 408, and binding 200 that is closer to theprimary direction of travel 408 (indicated in FIG. 4 as binding 416) isattached to snowboard 100 at angle 418, which may be larger than angle410. This attachment configuration allows for more “cruising” on thesnow, while still allowing for control of snowboard 100 for speed and/orturning.

As seen in FIGS. 2-4, the placement of bindings 200 is important, and,depending on the style of riding done, any pouch, pack, or other deviceattached to binding 200 may interfere with binding 200, or with thecontrol of snowboard 100. For example, and not by way of limitation, apouch attached on snowboard 100 may interfere with turning, or may bestepped on by a rider when releasing the binding 200. Packs attached tothe toe strap 204 and/or heel strap 206 may interfere with ridercontrol, and may shift during operation which may disorient the rider.Packs attached to the rider may create additional danger for the rideras previously described herein.

FIG. 5 illustrates a device in accordance with an aspect of the presentdisclosure.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, pouch 500 comprises body502, flap 504, and strap 506. In an embodiment of the presentdisclosure, body 502 may comprise one or more selectively closedvolumes, also referred to as “pockets,” which may be closed by closure508. Closure 508 is shown in FIG. 5 as a zipper; however, closure 508may be a hook-and-loop closure, a snap closure, and/or other type ofclosure without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Body 502 also comprises one or more rings 510, coupled to one or morelocations on body 502, for mating with one or more side straps 512. Body502 may also comprise a gusset 514, which may help define the volumeand/or shape of body 502. On body 502, or, additionally and/oralternatively, on gusset 514, connector 516 is coupled, for mating withconnector 518 on strap 506. Although shown on one portion of body 502for ease of illustration, connector 516 may be coupled to other portionsof body 502, as shown in FIG. 6. Further, although side strap(s) 512 areshown coupled to flap 504 and ring(s) 510 are shown coupled to body 502,one or more side straps 512 may be coupled to body 502 and one or morerings 510 may be coupled to flap 504 without departing from the scope ofthe present disclosure.

In an aspect of the present disclosure, strap 512 and ring 510 may bedifferent coupling device, such as elastic, tension rope, etc., and maybe different on one side of pouch 500 than on another. For example, andnot by way of limitation, one side of pouch 500 may be sewn closed, oremploy an elastic section sewn between flap 504 and body 502, and theother side of pouch 500 may employ a strap 512 and ring 510 foradjusting the tension between pouch 500 and highback 208.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, a pocket or recess may beformed by selective attachment of body 502 to flap 504, such that pouch500 slips over the contour/outline of highback 208. In such an aspect,the pocket may be adjustable via strap 506, elastic, or other adjustmentmeans, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Clipsmay also be attached between body 502 and flap 504 to adjust the fitand/or form-fitting between pouch 500 and highback 208 without departingfrom the scope of the present disclosure.

Flap 504 is coupled to body 502, and is coupled to strap 506 atattachment point(s) 520. Plate 522, shown in phantom lines as plate 522may be underneath flap 504 in the perspective shown in FIG. 5, is alsocoupled to flap 504.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, strap 506 may be adjustablein length, with a D-ring, hook-and-loop material, elastic, or otheradjustment means. Coupled to strap 506 is connector 518, which mateswith connector 516 on body 502. Although connector 518 is shown as aquick-connect connector, connector 518 may be a hook-and-loop connector,a button, snap, or other type of connector without departing from thescope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of a pouch in accordance with an aspectof the present disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 6, connector 516 may be coupled to a portion of body502 that will be placed in a position to rest against highback 208 whenpouch 500 is installed on binding 200. Plate 522 may lie between a foldand/or other pocket created through desired attachment or coupling offlap 504, such that plate 522 rests against a portion of highback 208that is “inside” of highback 208. The “inside” of highback 208, asreferred to herein, is the portion of highback 208 that will contact arider's boot, such that when the rider is riding snowboard 100, leaningon highback 208 will apply pressure from the rider's boot against flap504 and plate 522.

Plate 522 may be of a malleable or moldable plastic or other material,such as a thin sheet of metal, etc., such that plate 522 can be shapedto form and/or form-fit to the shape of highback 208. Although shown ina planar side view in FIG. 6, highback 208 may comprise a contour orcurvature, and plate 522 may be formed to adapt to such contour and/orcurvature. Further, plate 522 may be shaped such that plate 522 ispartially or completely located between the rider's boot and highback208, or, if desired, plate 522 may extend beyond the periphery ofhighback 208 to provide the rider additional control over snowboard 100.

Side strap 512, when coupled with ring 510, couples flap 504 to body 502at one or more locations. As side strap(s) 512 are tightened, a portionof body 502 is more tightly coupled to the “outside” of highback 208.The “outside” of highback 208, as referred to herein, is a portionopposite the portion that the rider's boot contacts when the boot iscoupled to the binding 200.

Strap 506 is placed along the inside of highback 208, and coupled toconnector 516 via connector 518. Strap 506 is shown in FIG. 6 ascoupling around highback 208, e.g., strap 506 is passed around heelcup212, and is placed around the periphery of canting device 210. Bytensioning strap 506 (which may be adjustable through elastic couplingof strap 506 to flap 504 at attachment point(s) 520), and by tensioningside strap(s) 512 to ring(s) 510, pouch 500 can be substantially rigidlycoupled to highback 208. As such, pouch 500 can contain some weight(mass) of items, e.g., tools, snack food, beverages, etc., withoutsignificant motion of the item's mass moving during snowboard 100operation. Further, the location of pouch 500 is not of significantdanger to a snowboard 100 user, and, since snowboard 100 users often sitdown during the day, pouch 500 is easily accessible.

As can be seen from FIG. 6, the size of pouch 500 may allow forconnecter 516 to be placed on gusset 514, or on body 502, so long asstrap 506 can be placed such that interference with canting device 210is reduced or eliminated. Further, strap 506 may be a plurality ofstraps, e.g., one strap on one side of canting device 210, and anotherstrap on another side of canting device 210, without departing from thescope of the present disclosure.

In an aspect of the present disclosure, coupling 600 between body 502and flap 504 may be arranged such that a pocket 602 may be formed. Insuch an aspect, pocket 502 may be separately selectively closed withanother closure 508, or may be open to accept such items as a waterbottle, map, or other items. Further, in another aspect of the presentdisclosure, a second plate 604 may be located in body 502 or in pocket602, to assist in the coupling of the body 502 to the highback 208. Suchcoupling may aid in minimizing and/or reducing the movement of any massof items in body 502.

Taking FIGS. 6 and 7 in conjunction with FIGS. 1 and 4, the location ofpouch 500 in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure doesnot interfere with a rider's turning, stopping, or other control ofsnowboard 100. Even on turns where the rider is placing the heel ofbindings 200 nearer to the snow (commonly known as a “heel-side turn”),pouch 500 may be designed to avoid contact with the snow. Further, anyweight in pouch 500 is below the rider's center of gravity and wouldhave little effect on a rider's style as well as a rider's movements onthe snow and/or during aerial maneuvers.

FIG. 7 illustrates a view of a v-shaped strap in accordance with anaspect of the present disclosure.

When connector 518 has been passed around heelcup 212, connector 518 maybe placed in a position to connect to connector 516 such that strap 506creates a “V” shape around canting device 210. To illustrate the “wraparound” feature of strap 506, which is also shown in FIG. 6, a phantomview of strap 506 is shown as being on the other side of highback 208 aspreviously described. Such placement of connector 516 (and, in use,connector 518) allows for connectors 516 and 518 to be shielded from iceand/or snow buildup during snowboarding, and also may allow for easierremoval of pouch 500 since ice and/or snow buildup is reduced and/orminimized.

Further, plate 604 (shown in phantom view in one possible embodiment ofthe present disclosure, as body 502 is not shown) may be shaped and/orplaced within body 502 to aid body 502 in avoiding interference withcanting device 210. Plate 604 may be shaped, the material used for plate604 may be specified, and/or a thickness of plate 604 may be selected toaid pouch 500 in avoiding interference with canting device 210.

As described above, strap 506 may be attached to gusset 514 and/or otherportions of body 502, depending on the size and location of pouch 500.For example, in an aspect of the disclosure, pouch 500 may comprise a“saddle” shaped body 502 with two lobes, similar to the shape of plate604 shown in FIG. 7. One lobe would rest on highback 208 on one side(and/or edge) of canting device 210, and the other lobe would rest on anopposite side (and or edge) of canting device 210. In such an aspect,there may be two straps 506, one for each lobe of pouch 500, and similarminimization of interference with canting device 210 may be achieved.Plate 604 may be of similar material as that of plate 522, or may be ofdifferent material. Further, plate 604 may be malleable and/or moldableas plate 522, or may be more rigid in design, depending on designfeatures to be determined, without departing from the scope of thepresent disclosure. Plate 604 may also be shaped to aid in avoidinginterference with canting device 210. For example, and not by way oflimitation, a notch 700 may be placed in plate 604 such that body 502does not substantially contact and/or does not functionally interferewith the operation of canting device 210. Notch 700 may also be placedin plate 604 to aid in the installation/removal of pouch 500, as notch700 may be placed in plate 604 to correspond with not only cantingdevice 210, but with the placement of connector 518 when pouch 500 isinstalled on highback 208.

Advantages Realized by the Present Disclosure

Plate 522, as a contoured and/or malleable feature of the presentdisclosure, allows a snowboard boot to highback 208 connection to retainits intended geometry, and allows for secure connection between pouch500 to highback 208 vis-à-vis strap 506 and side strap(s) 512. Further,plate 522, and, optionally, plate 604, allows for a more stableattachment for pouch 500, allowing for a larger volume of pouch 500,additional weight capacity of pouch 500, and more stability of anyweight carried in pouch 500 while snowboarding. The contour and/orconforming ability of plate 522 also allows for familiar entry and exitof the boot with binding 200.

Plate 522, may employ a moldable material, e.g., Acrylonitrile ButadieneStyrene (ABS), acrylic polyvinylchloride (PVC), and/or otherthermomolded materials, and/or may employ fabrics, stiffeners, plastics,metals, and/or other materials without departing from the scope of thepresent disclosure. Plate 522, in some aspects of the presentdisclosure, allows for molding and/or contouring of plate 522 toindividual rider's boots and highback 208 shapes. Materials may beemployed for plate 522 such that plate 522 maintains and/or retains thecontours of an individual rider's boots and highback 208 shapes. Strap506, alone and/or in conjunction with a designed shape of plate 604,allow for operation of canting device 210 while pouch 500 is installed.

Various materials may be employed for flap 504, body 502, and strap 506.Nylon, cotton duck, leather, and/or other materials of a durable naturethat can be employed in the scenarios commonly encountered insnowboarding may be used without departing from the scope of the presentdisclosure. Further, additional pockets may also be added onto body 502as desired without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Although the present disclosure and its advantages have been describedin detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutionsand alterations can be made herein without departing from the technologyof the disclosure as defined by the appended claims. For example,relational terms, such as “above” and “below” and/or “inside” and“outside” are used with respect to a specific device. Of course, if thedevice is inverted, above becomes below, and vice versa. Additionally,if oriented sideways, above and below may refer to sides of a device.Further, reference to “first” or “second” instances of a feature,element, or device does not indicate that one device comes before orafter the other listed device. Reference to first and/or second devicesmerely serves to distinguish one device that may be similar or similarlyreferenced with respect to another device.

Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to belimited to the particular configurations of the process, machine,manufacture, composition of matter, means, methods and steps describedin the specification. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readilyappreciate from the disclosure, processes, machines, manufacture,compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing orlater to be developed that perform substantially the same function orachieve substantially the same result as the correspondingconfigurations described herein may be utilized according to the presentdisclosure. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to includewithin their scope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositionsof matter, means, methods, or steps.

The description of the disclosure is provided to enable any personskilled in the art to make or use the disclosure. Various modificationsto the disclosure will be readily apparent to those reasonably skilledin the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied toother variations without departing from the spirit or scope of thedisclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is not intended to be limitedto the examples and designs described herein but is to be accorded thewidest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosedherein. Accordingly, the disclosure is not to be limited by the examplespresented herein, but is envisioned as encompassing the scope describedin the appended claims and the full range of equivalents of the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A pouch configured for mounting on a snowboardbinding highback, comprising: a body comprising a first connector; aflap, coupled to the body; a first plate, coupled to the flap, in whichthe flap and the plate are coupled to a first side of the snowboardbinding highback and the body is coupled to a second side of thesnowboard binding highback; a strap, coupled to the flap, the strapcomprising a second connector, in which the second connector isconfigured to be coupled to the first connector by wrapping the straparound a heelcup of the snowboard binding.
 2. The pouch of claim 1, inwhich the strap is configured to reduce interference with a cantingdevice on the second side of the snowboard binding highback.
 3. Thepouch of claim 1, in which the first plate is configured tosubstantially conform to a contour of the snowboard binding highback. 4.The pouch of claim 1, further comprising a second plate, coupled to thebody.
 5. The pouch of claim 4, in which the second plate furthercomprises a notch, such that the notch is configured to reduceinterference of the body with a canting device on the second side of thesnowboard binding highback.
 6. The pouch of claim 1, further comprisinga pocket formed by selective coupling of the flap to the body.
 7. Thepouch of claim 1, in which the strap is adjustable in length.
 8. Thepouch of claim 1, in which the strap is adjustably coupled to the flap.9. The pouch of claim 8, in which the strap is adjustably coupled to theflap with an elastic coupling.
 10. The pouch of claim 1, furthercomprising at least one side strap and at least one ring, in which theat least one side strap is configured to be coupled to the at least onering to, at least in part, secure the pouch to the snowboard bindinghighback.
 11. The pouch of claim 10, in which the at least one sidestrap is coupled to the flap and the at least one ring is coupled to thebody.
 12. A pouch configured for mounting on a snowboard bindinghighback, comprising: a body; a flap, coupled to the body; and a firstplate, coupled to the flap, the flap and the plate being coupled to afirst side of the snowboard binding highback and the body is coupled toa second side of the snowboard binding highback, in which the firstplate is configured to be malleable to a contour of the first side ofthe snowboard binding highback.
 13. The pouch of claim 12, furthercomprising a strap, coupled to the flap, the strap configured to becoupled to the body around a portion of the snowboard binding.
 14. Thepouch of claim 13, in which the strap couples to the body when wrappedaround a heelcup of the snowboard binding.
 15. The pouch of claim 14, inwhich the strap is further configured to reduce interference with acanting device on the second side of the snowboard binding highback. 16.The pouch of claim 15, in which the strap is adjustable in length. 17.The pouch of claim 16, in which the strap is adjustably coupled to theflap.
 18. The pouch of claim 17, in which the strap is adjustablycoupled to the flap with an elastic coupling.
 19. The pouch of claim 18,further comprising at least one side strap and at least one ring, inwhich the at least one side strap is configured to be coupled to the atleast one ring to, at least in part, secure the pouch to the snowboardbinding highback.
 20. The pouch of claim 19, in which the at least oneside strap is coupled to the flap and the at least one ring is coupledto the body.